Push for new Holt High splits BOE

Tuesday

Feb 26, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Holt High School, built in 1944, is the oldest school building in the Tuscaloosa County School System. And county school board member Schmitt Moore, who represents Holt, said it's time to build a new school.

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer

Holt High School, built in 1944, is the oldest school building in the Tuscaloosa County School System. And county school board member Schmitt Moore, who represents Holt, said it's time to build a new school.“I've waited patiently for the day, served and supported other projects with the hope that we would make our way around to Holt,” Moore said after a board meeting Monday. “The time for Holt has come.”During a board meeting Friday, Holt parent Jason Bearden submitted a petition with almost 1,800 signatures of people supporting a new Holt High School. During the past 20 years, Holt High has received $2.6 million, while almost every other high school has received drastically more, according to the Holt High PTO, which compiled financial information provided by the county. According to the PTO report, $33.3 million was spent on Tuscaloosa County High, $16.3 million on Sipsey Valley High, $12.6 million on Northside High, $38 million on Brookwood High, which includes the new school under construction, $2.6 million on Holt High and $2.1 million on Hillcrest High. Bearden said the only reason less money has been spent on Hillcrest than on Holt is that a new Hillcrest was built in 1992.Bearden said it's unfair that the county has appropriated funds from the 1-cent sales tax toward projects, like activity buildings at four Northport schools, and a new $18 million middle school to be built near Tuscaloosa County High. But students in Holt have to go to school in a building that is “falling apart, from the inside out,” he said. “Bottom line is, we know we've been overlooked, (we're) tired of being neglected, and we want to see something change,” Bearden said. During his presentation, he asked what the county board of education was going to do. “Why have you abandoned the kids at Holt High?” Bearden asked. But there was no answer from the board other than Bearden being asked if he was finished with his presentation.That angered Veronica Surratt, president of the PTO and mother of two Holt High students, who walked out. “I'm unhappy,” Surratt said. “It was a no answer, and they didn't even say anything.”Holt senior Jessica Ingram said a new school building would help students and the community.“I think that we would have a better community if we had a new school, but it would be a better school, too,” she said. Currently, Holt has a graduation rate of 52 percent, the lowest of any high school in the Tuscaloosa County or Tuscaloosa City system.According to a 1991 study of the District of Columbia School System, standardized test scores in schools whose buildings are in poor shape are 6 percent lower than in schools in fair condition, and 11 percent lower than schools in excellent condition.The students at Holt High deserve what every other high school student in the county system gets, and that includes going to school in a new, bright building with new technology and the best education that they can get, said Cindy Dixon, a Holt faculty member. “I'd like to see equity, a classroom environment that is more than just a teacher and a classroom,” Dixon said. A “dark environment” like the old school does nothing to improve their education when so many students are already struggling, Dixon added. If a new school was built, it also might draw new homes and businesses into the Holt community, spurring revitalization in an area that was hard hit by the April 27, 2011, tornado, she said. “If we build it, they will come,” Dixon said. At the end of the board meeting, Moore said he was committed to helping Holt and that he would share the community's concerns with the county system's facilities and grounds committee. “Your concern will not be swept under the rug,” Moore said. Board member Joe Boteler said it's beyond time for Holt to get a new building.“[Holt High] ranks 295th out of 304 high schools in the state,” Boteler said in response to the board. “I don't see how you can look people in the face with those numbers. It's 10 years late.”Boteler also told the board that it should not be approving the construction of activity buildings — at a cost of up to $750,000 each — when that is an expense that traditionally the community has been required to raise. On Monday night, the board voted to approve construction bids for $1.6 million, which will include classroom expansion and a new activity building at Flatwoods Elementary in Northport. “It's past time, it's way past time,” Boteler said. But, the board also must consider finances, said board member Gary Mims. The revenue from the 1-cent sales tax was approved in 2009 and is appropriated to specific projects through 2016. “We know there is a need, but also the finances aren't there right now,” Mims said. Moore said after the meeting that perhaps the board should reconsider some of those financial commitments if it means that Holt can get a new school. “Are the needs at Holt less important than activity buildings?” Moore asked. “No. We have to do a better job at prioritizing. We will look at our commitments and may have to reshuffle our priorities.”